Vehicle Description
Following up on the success of the inaugural 3-Litre model, W.O.
Bentley supplemented the line with the big six-cylinder 6 � Litre,
which he offered to accommodate growing customer demand for larger,
heavier, and increasingly luxurious coachwork. The 6 � and the
high-performance Speed Six derivative served as the flagships of
the marque - powerful touring cars built to compete with
Rolls-Royce's New Phantom. By 1927, the four-cylinder 3-Litre
reached the end of its development, and Bentley needed a suitable
replacement. Unlike Rolls-Royce, who remained staunchly opposed to
participating in motorsport, Bentley's core audience remained the
racing fraternity. While the 3-liter had more than proven its worth
on the circuit, the time had come for a stronger and more powerful
variant to take its place and uphold Bentley's sporting honor. The
3-litre served as the blueprint for the new car, which retained the
same four-cylinder, sixteen-valve, overhead-cam layout, albeit with
displacement punched out to 4,398 cubic centimeters. The chassis,
brakes, and gearbox were suitably upgraded and strengthened to
handle the additional output of the new engine. The new 4 � Litre
was powerful and fast, proving itself at LeMans and elsewhere in
the hands of the Works "Bentley Boys." As before, Bentley supplied
a running chassis to coachbuilders, with the choice of body up to
the dealer or client. Vanden Plas remained Bentley's favored
coachbuilder, and they constructed the majority of the bodies for
the Cricklewood-built cars, which ranged from sporty open tourers
to more formal saloons and coupes. The 4 � Litre remains the
quintessential Vintage Bentley, supported by a passionate and
knowledgeable group of owners who take great pride in using their
cars as W.O. Bentley originally intended. It is with great pleasure
that we offer this superb 1928 Bentley 4 �-Litre, chassis number
ST3006. This incredible W.O. Bentley is only the sixth 4 �-Litre
chassis built, and the first of the model to feature the now-iconic
sports four-seater coachwork by Vanden Plas. A fascinating and
meticulously researched report by Dr. Clare Hay reveals this car's
extraordinary history, and it stands as one of the most complete
and authentic 4 �-Litres extant - retaining its factory original
chassis, engine, gearbox, coachwork, rear axle, and numerous other
components. It presents today in excellent condition, with the
honest character preferred by Bentley enthusiasts, acquired through
years of enjoyment and care. Chassis number ST3006 rides on the
standard 10' 10" wheelbase chassis, and it was first registered in
September of 1927, just ahead of the 4 �-Litre model's official
debut at the Olympia Motor Show in October. According to Dr. Hay,
the factory allocated ST3006 as a works demonstrator, specified
with open sports touring coachwork. The chassis record shows "Our
Own Body Order," meaning it was ordered directly from Vanden Plas
by Bentley Motors, and approved by the factory on completion.
Elements of the handsome coachwork (body number 1408) include long
wings, painted bonnet, single rear-mounted spare, and American-made
Zapon fabric covering the scuttle and body. Dr. Hay believes the
wings, chassis, and wheels of ST3006 were painted green, with an
unknown lighter shade used on the body. Vanden Plas' records also
show the interior was in green Connolly no. 34 leather and black
cotton duck fabric used for the weather equipment. Moderately
popular in its day, the open sports tourer by Vanden Plas is now
one of the most desirable - and most copied - bodies to grace a
pre-war Bentley chassis. Images of the freshly completed ST3006
taken by Bentley's in-house photographer Chas K. Bowers featured in
the official Bentley Motors 4 �-Litre catalogue. After its time in
the spotlight, ST3006 was immediately put into service by the works
sales department to demonstrate to dealers and clients. As part of
its demonstrator duties, ST3006 appeared in the May 1928 issues of
the famed British publication The Motor. Tested at the legendary
Brooklands circuit, The Motor lavished praise on the car in a
typically understated British fashion. They declared it "a 90
m.p.h. sports car" with "lightning getaway and ease of control."
The test concluded with the author proclaiming the car to be "a
real thoroughbred, with extremely fine performance" and remarking
how well Bentley's success in motorsport translates to the road. A
reproduction of the full article, complete with photos, is part of
the Hay Report. By the time it transferred to its first official
private owner on June 11th, 1929, ST3006 had accrued 37,680 miles,
most of which were put on by factory test driver and "Bentley Boy"
Frank Clement as he toured dealers, to show off the latest
offering. Factory service records during this time reveal how it
returned to Works Service for an engine overhaul, decarbonizing,
and an updated clutch. The first private owner was a Bentley
enthusiast named H.C. Martineau of London, likely trading his 1928
6 �-Litre against this car. At various times while in Martineau's
care, he brought it to the factory for a new Bluemels steering
wheel (believed to be the one still on the car), Pullswell silencer
and in September 1929, a new radiator from stock (No. C192), which
it still wears to this day. In 1931, it received a pair of
reconditioned SU "Sloper" carburetors, which, again, remain on the
car. By August 1935, ST3006 had a new owner with Mr. G.F. Kennedy
of London. It continued to receive regular service and maintenance,
with factory records going all the way through 1940 when
Rolls-Royce sold off the remaining spares and transferred services
to McKenzies Garages. Subsequent owners are well-documented in the
history report, showing the car in Britain through 1952 when it
came to the States with Col. W.A. Howkins. Members of the Howkins
family lovingly maintained it through 1988, when it returned to the
UK with a new owner. The most recent owner acquired the car in 2001
and has continued to be a faithful steward of its remarkable
history. Relatively early in its life, the car was repainted in its
current livery of black with Bentley Green wheels. Later, the
interior was reupholstered in green Connolly leather per the 1928
specification. While it is a restored car, the owners took great
care to maintain as many original features as possible. The paint
and coachwork are highly attractive and in excellent condition,
with many of the body fittings and details dating to the 1930s. In
the inspection report, Dr. Hay noted that finding the Vanden Plas
body number "1408" on seat drop plates, the spare tire triangle,
rear seat spring case, and elsewhere was akin to discovering a
famous artist's signature on a painting - such is the rarity of
finding a genuine VdP sports tourer body. While the body upholstery
has been replaced, it is very true to original specification, and
it now displays a fabulously inviting patina that suits the car's
road-ready character. Mechanically, ST3006 is both highly original
and comprehensively prepared for regular use. It is a veteran of
numerous rallies, including a run from Vancouver to Anchorage,
Alaska, and back. It retains its original engine, original gearbox
per the road-test notes, original chassis, steering box, and rear
axle. Fittings like the carburetors and magnetos are also
consistent with factory build and service records. Given their
prowess as driver's cars and racing cars and the propensity for
"gentleman drivers" to leave the track at speed, very few 4 �-Litre
Bentleys survived quite so comprehensively intact as ST3006. Its
sale presents a rare opportunity to acquire one of...for more
information please contact the seller.
